The Amusement Park Experience Of A Grownup

The city of Orlando, located in the U.S. State of Florida, is known all around the world thanks to its theme parks. Featuring some of the world's best theme and amusement parks, this tourist destination offers to million of visitors annually the opportunity to take a close portrait photograph with Mickey or see Shrek hugging dad while he waits in line to purchase tickets. The famous walt Disney world Resort, the Sea world and the Universal Orlando Resort, offer thrilling rides, 3D movies, and all sort of extreme adventures, based mainly on cartoon or movie characters known to us since the time we were kids. But if one does not have kids, is there a reason to spend a small fortune for just a ride?

Well, I wish the answer was a simple yes or no. Allow me to argue before casting a stone. Last Christmas (no, not the one I gave you my heart as Wham mentioned in their famous 80s song) I was visited by my folks who decided to spend their Christmas and New Years vacations in United States for the first time. Since my brother is currently a resident of South Florida, it was inevitable for us to go where the weather conditions would be better. Thus, after taking care of some personal business, I flew to South Florida to join my family and spend my winter vacations in a sunny climate for the first time. Since my brother was really excited that we were all together again, he proposed a short journey to one or Orlando's theme parks as none of us had ever visited one. We immediately agreed and two days later we drove to discover the Islands of Adventure and jump into the actions of the Universal Studios movies.

To my surprise, I really enjoyed our visit there and although I was really glad to have the opportunity of experiencing yet another of our legendary family trips, I was secretly worried that the whole experience would prove to be a really boring one, apart for myself, for my parents, who I regret to admit are now of a certain age that does not permit them to experience an excitement as a ten year old would. But to my astonishment, my father was the one dragging us from venue to venue, insisting to visit every single place in the theme park -the daily tickets must have been on sale- and was always pointing something new, something fun we should not miss to explore. I will not mislead you by saying that he or my mother decided to get on those "terrifying trains" as they called them, but they did not go up against our determination to ride them again and again or to laugh while listening to our happy screams.

So, yes it is true. I really enjoyed my first visit at a theme park. Perhaps I have excuses, like the fact that I have not seen my parents or brother for a long time, or that I was under tremendous stress for more than six months and this was my first chance to let myself again relax and enjoy the ride. So, regardless if you are accompanying your nephew or daughter, you should take some time off when you get the chance and experience how it feels to see earth while hanging upside down at 125 feet over the ground ridding the Fire or Ice Dragon as they narrowly pass within inches from each other, on a roller coaster running at a speed of 55 mph.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Recreation, Fitness, and Travel

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Orange County Schools Build Civic Education with Disney

If it wasnt a big enough perk to grow up next door to the Magic Kingdom, Orange County high school students are also being sought out by nonprofit organizations in their area. As part of Disneylands 50th anniversary celebrations, high school students from Orange County Schools have the chance to participate in community outreach projects with local nonprofits.

show Your Character

The Show Your Character competition encourages local nonprofits to design projects that get high school students involved. Beginning in 2004 and continuing through 2006, Orange County nonprofits submit project proposals designed to help local teenagers give back to their community. If selected, the nonprofits are paired with Orange County high school students and given the resources they needed to complete a community service project in their neighborhoods.

Projects for the competition must meet the California curriculum standards for Service Learning Projects. In this way, students earn academic credit while learning valuable skills from nonprofit groups.

A Service Learning Project must meet four basic goals (provided by the Volunteer Center of Orange County, www.volunteercenter.org ):

Meet a Real Community Need

In partnership with your organization, students should gain an understanding of how the needs of the community you serve are identified. After developing an understanding of these needs, students will actively participate in a service-learning project designed to effectively meet those needs.

Gain an Understanding of the Connection Between School and Community

Students should develop an understanding of the relationship between the school and the community and the value of school-community partnerships. This will be gained through direct interactions with your organization, staff and/or clients to develop and implement meaningful service activities that meet the needs of both the students and the community you serve.

Develop a Sense of Civic Responsibility

Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of civic responsibility through their participation in this service-learning activity. The project must meet a real community need and improves the quality of life in the community.

Strengthen their Understanding of Core Character Traits and Values

Trustworthiness - Respect - Fairness - Caring - Citizenship

Benefits for Students

In addition to the school credit, participation in the competition also benefits students and their schools in other key ways. Students will gain from an increased awareness of the nonprofits operating in the community. In working with a nonprofit organization, the student will learn about how nonprofit groups help at risk members of the community and see for themselves how they and others can contribute to building their community in a positive way in the future. Participation also qualifies the student to apply for a Disneyland Resort Legacy Scholarship Award. The Disneyland Resort Scholarship program, called Making Magic Through Community Service, plans to grant $50,000 in scholarships, with a minimum scholarship of $5000 each.

Benefits for Teachers and Schools

Teachers and schools can get in on the action too. In assisting their students to participate in the competition, teachers and schools meet the standards in character education and have the opportunity to build character and civic responsibility in their students. Teachers and students will have the advice of a Disney VoluntEAR Project Leader who is knowledgeable about their nonprofit organization partner as well as the character education curriculum education standards to be met. In addition, teachers and schools will have the expert assistance of the Volunteer Center of Orange County, the California State Regional Lead for Service Learning. There are financial benefits for teachers too, such as earning a Golden Performance Award worth $1000 to further improve the learning environment for their students.

Disneys community outreach programs for Orange County high school students combine learning with public service and specifically address the character education curriculum standards for the state of California. Students in the area have been given the opportunity to learn from Walt Disney that, the greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievement but rather with the things we do for the people in need.

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, Which provides free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues.

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